Eton Sound 100 AM/FM Radio, Silver

Setup and Control
We found the Eton 100 a snap to setup, relying on the included manual. Its functions are so simple and to the point, its controls so intuitive, that there is hardly any need for a manual.

The radio includes AM and FM, with five presets for each. AM ranges from 520 to 1710 KHz in 10 KHz increments, and FM RDS from 87.50 to 108.00 KHz in 0.05 KHz increments. The FM signal comes from an old school chromed, telescoping antenna that can be rotated to any needed angle, while the AM antenna is a built-in loop. Stations can be micro-tuned by quickly pressing the up or down tune buttons on the remote or the device itself. Holding the tune button down for a few seconds scans reliably to the next available station.

A small and stylish clock radio with a retro yet futuristic look (black version shown).

While delivering standard clock radio features, it is also mp3- and ipod-ready. View larger.

Pick a color that's right for you.

Simple and intuitive controls, plus an included remote.

The alarm wakes you with your choice of a chime or one of your preset radio stations, and features a five minute snooze button, if you can't yet face the day. Of course you can also connect your favorite MP3 player and use its alarm to wake you with via the radio's speaker. If you like falling asleep to music you can easily set the sleep timer in increments of 15 to 90 minutes.

Back to the Future
With the look of an old-time radio restyled for the 21st century, the Eton 100 draws attention to itself as a little work of art in its own right. The large silver volume knob and three-inch speaker dominate the face. Sleekly rounded corners give a contemporary and finished look. Rubber feet keep it from sliding or scratching your furniture. It is small enough to fit easily on a desk or night-stand, but not so tiny that it won't attract attention: 8.27 x 4.53 x 5.1 inches (W x H x D). The display is gently backlit in blue and gives all the information you need, including time, station, alarms, and sleep timer functions. Design-wise it's a statement of urban chic and modern style in a small and functional package.

Sound
Although the sound from its three inch, full-range, magnetically-shielded mono speaker is never going to compete with your home stereo system, or with more expensive and larger stereo radios, it delivers a surprising punch and range, in combination with its rear-firing subwoofer. What pleased us most about the Eton 100's sound is its crisp clarity. Plenty of small speaker systems rattle and buzz as soon as you turn the volume more than halfway up. We cranked this little box up to room-filling volumes without the slightest hint of a buzz. Although it allows no audio adjustments (such as bass and treble) subwoofer gain is calibrated with volume in order to maintain a constant balance of high and low dynamic range.

Along with a 3.5 millimeter jack for headphones, there is a mini-jack input for a CD or MP3 player. We got great sound from an iPod simply by setting it at full volume and letting the Eton 100 do the rest.

Pros

• Clear, powerful sound and modern styling in a small, inexpensive package
• Easy setup and intuitive interface
• Input for CD and MP3 players

• Mono sound only
• No audio adjustments

The Eton Sound 100 radio packs a wallop that makes it perfect for both home and office use. This unit covers the AM frequencies from 520 to 1710 KHz in 10 KHz increments, and the FM RDS frequencies from 87.50 to 108.00 KHz in 0.05 KHz increments. The ES 100 radio features five AM and five FM memory preset station assignments so you can quickly jump to your 10 favorite stations, an encoder volume control, and manual scan tuning. This radio also features an auto station function that locates and locks on to the strongest station signal, as well as an auto tune function that provides a programmed list of services.

The stylish ES 100 utilizes a high-sensitivity, digital PLL tuner for excellent AM/FM reception and sensitivity, and a built-in LCD display with a 2.4 x 0.98 inches (W x H) viewing area that is gently illuminated so it won't keep you awake, with a blue back light, black characters, and a two-line display that indicates time, station, alarm, band and presets. The clock on this radio is in 12-hour format, lets you select between radio and buzzer alarms, and provides you with a sleep timer and snooze function. And for the ultimate in convenience, this handy little unit even lets you operate it via an included infrared remote control.

This radio has built-in, 3.5-millimeter auxiliary line-in and audio line-out jacks for connecting an MP3 or CD player, and/or a set of headphones or additional speakers, as well as an AC power jack for connecting the included AC power adapter. The ES 100 utilizes an external aerial connection socket, a single-channel amplifier, and a three-inch, full-range, magnetically-shielded, high-fidelity front-firing mono speaker that is capable of producing incredibly powerful, distortion-free room-filling sound. The FM antenna is a chrome-plated telescoping aerial with a 360-degree swivel and rotation, while the AM antenna is a built-in loop. This radio has rubber feet on the bottom to prevent surface scratches, and includes a battery back-up that stores real time during a power failure and requires two AA batteries (not included). This Eton Sound 100 AM/FM radio comes in silver, weighs 2.82 pounds, measures 8.27 x 4.53 x 5.1 inches (W x H x D), and is backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
Eton Sound 100 AM/FM radio in silver, AC adapter, infrared remote control, owner's manual and warranty card.